Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) celebrates the 48th anniversary of the discovery of dinosaur tracks in Rocky Hill at Dinosaur State Park Day on Saturday, August 16.

In honor of the State Parks Centennial, the 18th annual celebration of the discovery of 2,000 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints will be celebrated by Friends of Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum with special activities from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm each day.

Some of the highlights include:

Craft tent
· Games with prizes
· Face painting
· Costumed characters
· Live performers
· Live musical entertainment
· Live animal shows
· Continuous education programs
· Continuous films
· Viewing of dinosaur tracks
Admission to the park and museum will be free. Food will be available for sale on park grounds.

Exclusive Outdoor Park Activities

The Park’s mining activity will be available from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Visitors can mine for gems and/or fossils in a water-based sluiceway. Participants must purchase a mining bag to participate in this activity.

The Park’s unique tracks casting area will also be open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Visitors must bring
10 pounds of plaster of Paris and a ¼ cup of cooking oil to participate. One cast is allowed per family or group.

Highlights of Indoor Activities

Indoors, visitors will be able to see 600 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints and related exhibits, films and a gift shop.

Discovery Room

Remodeled last year, the Discovery Room features state-of-art exhibits including Connecticut’s Geologic Treasures, a Life Through Time Exhibit, an animal skull exhibit, a bird sounds display, a young visitor area and hundreds of fossils and geologic specimens on display.